1. Shelley Duncan is a man of his word
2. Jonny Gomes either has poor depth perception or little practice taking people down with a 40-foot running start.
3. Jonny Gomes' Tee Ball skipper was Morris Buttermaker

On point No. 3. Gomes says something along the lines of: from the time of Tee Ball, I've been taught to always have your teammates back.

OK, I can buy that to a point. Teaching kids about being part of a team is a big part of the Tee Ball experience. But so is getting the kid to run to first base, not second, when he actually makes contact. I'm just saying, Jonny, I think you went a little too far back in the time machine to pull up that defense. How about saying Little League the next time you're asked. Just saying.

As for this blossoming rivalry, I can't wait for the regular season to start. Red Sox-Yankees was getting a little tiring and by-the-numbers in a way, sort of like a Pierce Brosnan Bond flick. Yankees-Rays is the new ticket. It's the Casino Royale of the AL East. Watch out Aki, Shelley "spike" or "Le Chiffre" Duncan may be bringing the carpet beater to second base next time the two teams meet.

This could be the best time of the NFL non-season. By that we mean mock draft time (or as I refer to it: the chance for all of us to act like HR managers). Goodfella's blog takes a solid stab at the task, and Glen Dorsey isn't the top pick.

And if you think the general election will come down to Obama/Hillary vs. John McCain, don't count out Cobra Commander.

On to the best blogs ... around!Despite the blogger's name, The Don Juan of Crap Talk, isn't talking that much crap about the Tigers. The blog's take is fair and balanced and even makes a few good points, particularly about Miguel Cabrera, the walking, talking eating defensive liability.

Yesterday Down in the swampland anything goes..... called out all Cowboys haters. Today the blogger, who calls himself Tony Romo, says Dallas' penchant for bringing in cokeheads and gun-toters doesn't really bother him is kosher with him. Heck, why stop there, why not get Rae Carruth pardoned?

Since I'm looking for a bed, asap, being that I've slept an average of four hours a night over the last two-plus weeks, I'm getting straight to the good stuff. And by good stuff I mean Tylenol PM -- and your blogs.

On to the best blogs ... around!

Looking to see what's in the Bears' crystal ball? Common Sense with Patg006 breaks down what's left to do in free agency and the draft.

Looking for a scouting report on the uh, Marlins and Orioles? Check out You've got eSmack!'s take on their spring training game.

If you're looking for a solid Patriot League preview, dbacksfan414 has just the blog for you. There's also Sun Belt, Atlantic Sun and a bunch of other leagues I'm not paying attention to.

Did you hear the news? The Packers quarterback retired. I can't remember his name off the top of my head, but I hear he's sort of a big deal.

That's right, he was in a movie. "Something" about something. I can't really remember that either. I should probably write about things I do remember. Like my trip to Taiwan.

I just returned last night from a six-day jaunt to Taipei. As someone completely unfamiliar with that island-sort-of-nation's genesis and existence, it was an eye-opening experience.

I went as part of a Society of Professional Journalists delegation (somebody thought me mildly special) and we met with various high-ranking government officials and we were hit pretty heavy with the "let Americans know about Taiwan's status, please, pretty please." We also became pretty inundated with the Buddhist culture, even going so far to meet their Dali Lama-ey person, Master Chen of Tzu Chi. Enlightening, to say the least. But that could be Sunday night's Absinthe still talking.

So maybe you're wondering, Eric, what the hell are you talking about, just give us some good blogs. But for the few who are wondering what exactly Taiwan wanted to sell us journos on, here's the deal.

Taiwan is a democracy with a pretty-close to free press. It's the 18th-largest economy and one of our biggest trading partners. But it doesn't have a seat at the U.N. and nobody, even us, recognizes it as a real-deal country. We have no embassy there. The country also has 1,000 missiles locked on to it, ready to be deployed if China sees fit. And that's the problem. China wants Taiwan. Taiwan wants to just be left alone. And the U.S. won't back Taiwan because China is the new bad-ass on the block. Being over there you realize their culture, despite being completely different in many ways, is eerily similar. All the people we met shared our core values, work ethic and love of McDonalds, Starbucks and even Cold Stone Creamery.

Now I'm back and reading your blogs so keep up posting those opinions and lists about nothing. Oh, how I missed you all.

p.s: Lost my camera on the first day so when I get our groups' photos, I will happily share with those who care.

Take a guess at how Favreism's Sports Emporium felt about the news. I doubt he made it to his afternoon class. (Speaking of emporiums, on the plane to Osaka, I got to "enjoy" Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium) Sigh.

Sometimes a blogger just wants to post a recipe. Ups and Downs of these message boardsjust wants us all to get along ... I hope we do, for the sake of the blogger's forthcoming Green Chile recipe. (Marge, get me my chili boots!)

Funny thing about mis-remembering, you often end up remembering the oldest trick in the book at times. What's that, you ask? Why it's blaming your parents. Mama Clemens was the one shilling B12 shots to a young Clemens and Papa Pettitte was the HGH handler those "two times." You just never are too old to throw mom and pop under the bus for your mis-judgements.

(Allow me to counter: Late first-round picks are probably the most worthless commodity in basketball. A first-round pick is always guaranteed while second-round picks don't have guaranteed deals. The talent divide between the person drafted 25th and 35th usually isn't that great so the Nets will now be on the hook to give guaranteed three-year deals to players who probably won't even pan out. Just throwing that out there.)

First Bobby Knight, now Kelvin Sampson? Dodds and Ends says Indiana should be ashamed and the writing is on the wall for Sampson.

CBS Sports.com Fantasy gurus can be so tardy in responding to your e-mails. That's where Bradyard's Backyard Sports Talk comes in. The blogger is here and ready to answer your Fantasy questions. Here's my Q: Riddle me this, what is average air speed velocity of an unladen swallow ... and which relief pitcher will come from nowhere in the AL to rack up a ton of saves?

Congratulations from the Wonderful World of Gonos (and Kay's Korner) to Ross Devonport. Our very on bloke won the Fantasy Golf Writer of the Year Award. Of course, his competition was ... nobody! I kid because I'm jealous.

Prisco's Pointssays the Jags overpaid fullback Greg Jones. I say ask Larry Johnson what life has been like without Tony Richardson. Or Shaun Alexander how life was without Mack Strong. Or Eddie George how life was without Lorenzo Neil. These guys are the left tackles of the running game ... they should get paid, Pete.

Looking for some NL preview capsules to tide you over before pitchers and catchers report? NaterB's Junk Drawer is just your blog.